Adult Literacy Program
Success Stories
A quiet hum of teachers and adult learners – laughing, talking, and learning to read and speak English – can be heard in the basement of the University Baptist Church, where each year about 400 Baltimore City residents attend literacy and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes and tutoring at the Adult Literacy & ESOL Program. In Classroom C, Obed, an immigrant from Mexico, practices his reading, writing, and math skills. A learner with the Program since early 2007, Obed has come a long way in his education.
Unable to speak English when his family came to the United States at age 11, and later faced with a death in the family during his ninth grade year, Obed left school and entered the workforce to support his family. In the spring of 2007, Obed made the decision to devote his time to learning and try again. So he searched online and found Greater Homewood’s Adult Literacy & ESOL Program. Obed said that he felt at home at Greater Homewood the first time he came to the office: “It’s already hard to go back to school but the process there was easier and more comfortable for me.”
In the seven months since Obed enrolled as a learner at Greater Homewood, he has made tremendous progress, making large gains in reading and math assessments. Obed is now enrolled in the External Diploma Program and is another step closer to earning his high school diploma. He is one of many success stories to come from the Adult Literacy & ESOL Program.